Program apparatus

ABSTRACT

A programming apparatus capable of sequentially and automatically switching a preset information sources at preset times, comprising a time signal generator generating time signals at least at two preset times respectively for predetermined periods of time, a memory device having its operation inverted by the time signals obtained by means of said time signal generator and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective information sources to be set are connected to a group of fixed contacts thereof, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed contacts connected to said time signal generator.

United States Patent 1191 Okubo et a1.

PROGRAM APPARATUS Inventors: Tsuneo Okubo, Osaka; Shoichi Nakamura, Tondabayashi; Eizo Mori, Uji, all of-Japan Assignee:

Filed:

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan Feb. 11, 1972 Appl. No.: 225,654

Related US. Application Data Continuation of Ser. No, 12,640, Feb. 19, 1970,

abandoned.

Foreign Application Priority Data 1111 3,809,918 [451 May 7,1974

Primary Examiner-l-1erman Hohauser Assistant Examiner-William J. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stevens, Davis, Miller & Mosher [5 7] ABSTRACT A programming apparatus capable of sequentially and automatically switching a preset information sources at preset times, comprising a time signal generator generating time signals at least at two preset times respectively for predetermined periods of time, a memory device having its operation inverted by the time signals obtained by means of said time signal generator and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective'information sources to be set are connectedto a group of fixed contacts thereof, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed contacts connected to said time signal generator.

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHAY 7 m4 SHEET 1. OF 4 I NVEN TOR S PATENTEDHAY 1 m4 3.809.918

SHEET 3 0F 4 OFF OFF

7 MOTOR 1 PROGRAM APPARATUS This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 12,640, filed 2/19/70.

This invention relates to a programming apparatus for sequentially and automatically switching predetermined information sources at predetermined times, and has as its object providing the capability of accurately and automatically effecting sequential switchover of predetermined information sources at predetermined times with a simplified construction and in simplified operations.

Hereinbelow will be described a program apparatus according to the invention when used in the selection of stations in a radio receiver, with reference to a drawing showing an embodiment, followed by an explanation of the availability of the invention for other purposes with some examples thereof.

FIG. I is an electrical connection diagram ofa typical embodiment ofa program apparatus of the invention in which the apparatus is used in the selection of stations in a radio receiver. In the figure, the reference numeral 1 designates a drive source such as a clock, which is operated in proportion to time. The reference numeral 2 designates a time signal generator which is coupled to the drive source 1 and in which the respective switches S,, S S S, and 5,, are closed at preset times at least for a period of time required for movable contactsfof change-over switches 3 and 45, hereinafter described, to scan all the fixed contacts, thereby generating time signals on the output side ofthe generator. The changeover switch 3 is a switch wherein the fixed contacts a, b, c, d, and e are respectively connected to the output sides of the switches S S S S, and S constituting the time signal generator 2 and wherein the movable piece f is rotated in a determined direction by means of a motor 39 referred to below, whereby the fixed contacts brought in contact with the movable contactfare automatically changed-over in sequence. Numeral 4 designates an OR gate circuit comprisingcondensers 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, resistors 10, 11, 12, l3, l4 and 20, and diodes l5, 16, 17, 18 and 19, which is connected to the output side of the time signal generator 2 in order that even when one of the switches constituting the time signal generator 2 has been brought to the operative state during operation of another switch, a time signal may always appear on the output side of the switch later activated, thus causing a memory device 21 to accurately operate in the following stage. The memory device 21 is, for example, a flip-flop circuit composed of two transistors 22 and 23, resistors 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29, condensers 30 and 31, and diodes 32 and 33. This memory device may also be constituted by mechanical switches. The reference numeral 34 designates a condenser connected between the movable contact fof the change-over switch 3 and the cathode of one diode 33 constituting the memory device 21; 35 a condenser connected'between the output end of the OR gate circuit 4 and the cathode of the other diode 32 composing the memory device 21; 36 a transistor for switching, whose base is connected through a resistor 37 to the collector of one transistor 23 constituting the memory device 21, and whose emitter is connected through a resistor 38 to a B-power supply; and 39 the motor which is connected between the collector of the transistor 36 and ground and which drives the movable contact f of the change-over switch 3 as previously referred to. Numerals 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 all designate variable resistors for setting reception frequency, which determine bias voltages onto a variable capacity diode 47 forming the tuning section of the radio receiver 46. Slide terminals in the variable resistors 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44 are respectively connected to the fixed terminals a, b, c, d and e of the second changeover switch 45 whose movable contactfis driven, as in the case of the change-over switch 3, by the motor 39, and is connected through a resistor 48 to the anode of the diode 47. In addition, numeral 49 indicates a tuning coil composing, together with the diode 47, the tuner section of the radio receiver 46, while numeral 50 designates a condenser for blocking direct current.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the individual broadcasts be desired to be sequentially switched and received at the individual times, e.g. broadcast A at time 'a, broadcast B at time b,

in this case, it is only required that the switches S S constituting the time signal generator 2 be respectively set so as to operate optionally at time a, time b, and that the variable resistors 40, 41, for setting the receiving frequency which respectively correspond to these switches S S be respectively set so as to provide at their respective slide terminals voltages corresponding to broadcast A, broadcast B,

Now assume that the switch S comprising the time signal generator 2 is set to be moved to the on position at time a while the corresponding variable resistor 40 is set to produce a voltage necessary to receive broadcast A, and that the switch S forming the time signal generator 2 is set to switch to on at time I) while the corresponding variable resistor 43 is set to provide a voltage required for the reception of broadcast B. The moving contacts of the change-over switches 3 and 45 are assumed to be located at the fixed contacts 0.

In this state, when time a is reached, the switch S of the time signal generator 2 turns on,with the result that a fixed current is caused to flow through the resistor 20, diode 15 and condenser 5 constituting the OR gate circuit 4, whereby a negative pulse-shaped reverse signal is generated for the memory device at the output side of the diode 15. Since this pulse-shaped signal is impressed through the condenser 35 upon the cathode of one diode 32 forming the memory device 21, the base of transistor 23 is negatively biased to render this transistor 23 non-conductive or off. When the transistor 23 turns off, the collector potential thereof approaches a positive value, with the result that the base of the other transistor 22 is positively biased to render this transistor 22 on. This state is sustained until the base of the transistor 22 is impressed with a negative bias. When the transistors 22 and 23 are thus rendered on" and off" respectively, the base of the switching transistor 36 is also simultaneously biased positively, thereby turning the switching transistor 36 on. As a consequence, the collector of the transistor 36 undergoes a high current flowing therethrough, and the motor 39 connected thereto provides a rotation in a fixed direction. The motor 39 is coupled to the movable contacts f of the change-over switches 3 and 45 as previously described, so that upon rotation of the motor 39 the movable contacts f are likewise rotated thereby to sequentially change-over the fixed contacts a, b, c, d and e coming into contact therewith.

Now assuming that the movable contacts f be rotated counterclockwise or in the direction in which the fixed contacts are sequentially changed-over from a to b, from b to c, from c to d, through rotation of the motor 39, then the movable contacts f having been kept in contact with the fixed contacts will be brought in contact sequentially with the fixed contacts d, e, a, Upon contact of the movable contactsfwith the fixed contacts a, the voltage corresponding to broadcast A and set by the variable resistor 40 is impressed through the change-over switch 45 and the resistor 48 upon the variable capacity diode 47 constituting the tuning section of the radio receiver 46, thus rendering the tuner tuned to the frequency corresponding to broadcast A, and simultaneously, a fixed current is caused to flow through the resistor 51, change-over switch 3 and the switch S of the time signal generator 2, thus providing a negative voltage at the moving contactfof the change-over switch 3. Accordingly, the cathode of the other diode 33 composing the memory device 21 is applied through the capacitor 34 with the negative pulse-shaped return signal for the memory device, and hence the other transistor 22 constituting the memory device 21 is rendered off. For this reason, the collector potential of this transistor 22 or the base potential of transistor 23 approaches a positive value, whereupon the transistor 23 having been in the of state is switched on." As a result, the voltage impressed upon the base of the switchingtransistor 36 becomes close to a negative value thereby rendering this transistor 36 off." Accordingly, the motor 39 having been rotating has its rotation stopped and the movable contacts f ofthe change-over switches 3 and 45 are stopped in contact with the fixed contacts 0. Thus, the voltage corresponding to broadcast A as set in the manner stated above by the variable resistor 40 is kept applied to the variable capacity diode 47 forming the tuner section of the radio receiver 46, and broadcast A may be received from time a.

When the movable contacts f of the change-over switches 3 and 45 come into contact with the fixed contacts b, c, d and e through the rotation of the motor 39, there will be applied through the change-over switch 45 and the resistor 48 to the variable capacity diode 47 voltages respectively corresponding to predetermined broadcasts and set by the variable resistors 41, 42, 43 and 44. With respect to time a, however, all the switches S S S, and S of the time signal generator 2 respectively corresponding to these variable resistors 41, 42, 43 and 44 are in the off state, so that no negative voltage is generated on the output side of the change-over switch 3 and hence the operation of the memory device 21 is not inverted. As a result, the motor 39 is kept rotating without interruption, and the predetermined broadcasts set by the respective variable resistors 41, 42, 43 and 44 will not be received at time a. 7

Now description will be made of the case where time b has been reached. in this case, the switch S forming the time signal generator 2 becomes on, so that a fixed current is caused to flow through the resistor 20, diode 18 and condenser 8, whereby a negative pulseshaped reverse signal for the memory device is produced on, first of all, the output side of the diode 18 as in the case of time a. This signal is impressed, similarly to the case of time a, through the condenser upon the cathode of diode 32 composing the memory device 21, so that the transistor 23 is switched off" whereas the transistor 22 is switched on. As a result, the switching transistor 36 is rendered on," whereby the motor 39 drives the moving contactsfof the changeover switches 3 and in the fixed direction as in the case of time a. Accordingly, the movable contacts f having been kept in contact with the fixed contacts a come to be brought in contact with the fixed contacts in the sequence of b, c and d. When the movable contactsfcome in-contact with the fixed contacts b and c, the switches S and S constituting the time signal generator 2 are not, as above stated, in the on state. Therefore, in the memory device 21, the transistor 23 remains unchanged in the off state while the transistor 22 stays in the on state. Consequently, the switching transistor 36. also remain unchanged in the on state and the motor 39 is also kept rotating. When the movable contactsfhave thus passed over the fixed contacts b and c to come in contact with the fixed contacts d, a current started as is at time a to flow through the resistor 51, the change-over switch 3 and the switch S of the time signal generator 2 and thereby the negative voltage appearing on the side of the movable contactfof the change-over switch 3 is impressed through the condenser 34 upon the cathode of the diode 33 composing the memory device 21. That is, the return signal for the memory device is supplied to the diode 33. Accordingly the memory device 21 has its operation inverted to render the transistor 22 off" and the transistor 23 on." As a result, the switching transistor 36 is switched off" thus stopping rotation of the motor 39. The moving contacts fof the change-over switches 3 and 45 therefore remain in contact with the fixed contacts d, whereby the voltage corresponding to broadcast B as set by the variable resistor 43 is kept applied through the change-over switch 45 and the resistor 48 to the variable capacity diode 47 constituting the tuner section of the radio receiver 46.

Thus with the above embodiment, preset broadcasts may be received sequentially and automatically at preset times by likewise setting the operation starting time with the switches S, to S of the time signal generator 2 and the voltage corresponding to the desired broadcasts with the variable resistors 40 to 44.

Although the above embodiment was explained as operated only by a signal of the time signal generator, it may also beoperated independently of the time signal. More particularly with reference to FIG. 1, upon the closure of the switch S,,, the base of the switching transistor 36 is positively biased through the resistor 52, so that the switching transistor 36 is rendered on. Then the driving device 39 such as the motor is started to permit the scanning rotation of the changeover switches 3 and 45. When the movable contacts f of the switches 3 and 45 have moved to any suitable one of the contacts a, b, c, d and e, a switch designated at S, is opened. Then, the driving device 39 is stopped thus allowing the rotation of the switches 3 and 45 to close in this manner, any one of the contacts a, b, c, d and e may be selected irrespective of the time signal. When information sources are previously given to the contacts, the information may be optionally switched.

Although in the foregoing description a motor was employed for the driving device39, there may be used instead means operable by electromagnetic force as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

Instead of the drive means in FIG. '1, there is used a device energized electromagnetically and constructed as seen in FIG. 4. This device is called a plunger. In order to render an electromagnet 67 on and off," an oscillator (astable multivibrator circuit) 69 is used. Transistors 54' and 55 of the oscillator 69 are alternately rendered on and off with respect to each other, and oscillations are repeated such that the transistor 54 is rendered on and the transistor 55 off at one moment, the former off and the latter on at the next moment, as shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3 operation of transistor 54 is indicated by wave form A and operation of transistor 55 is indicated by wave form B. The output is applied to a transistor 65 from the collector of the transistor 55 of the oscillator and through a resistor 64 thereby switching transistor 65. The electromagnet 67 is adapted to be switched on and off by the on-off operation of the transistor 65. The output of the transistor 65 is fed across terminals x and y of the electromagnet 67, as is shown in FIG. 4. Then, when a current is caused to flow across the terminals x and y of the electromagnet 67 with the transistor 65 being in the on condition, an iron core 70 is magnetically energized to attract downwards an iron piece 71 mounted at the extreme end of a lever 72. A shaft 73 is then turned clockwise as shown by the arrow thereby turning one of the contacts inside a switch 74. When the transistor 65 has thereafter turned off," the electromagnet 67 will lose its attractive force and the lever 72 will be pulled upwards by means of a spring 75. The shaft 73 is adapted to be kept idling at this time without being turned counterclockwise. When the transistor 75 has been rendered on again, the switch 74 will be turned clockwise to move one contact. Construction is thus made such that every time the transistor 65 is rendered on, one contact is moved in the clockwise direction. When the operation of the oscillator 69 is stopped, the switch 74 has its rotation stopped. (This switch 74 is interlocked with the switches 3 and 45 in FIG. 1.) In order to stop the oscillator, the output of the memory device 21 is applied to a switching transistor 53. (When the transistor 53 turns on" the oscillator 69 is operated, whereas when the former turns of the latter is stopped.)

In the operation of the case where it is desired to receive broadcast A at time a, broadcast B at b, etc., etc. as explained with reference to FIG. 1, the'switch S of the time signal generator 2 is closed when time a is reached, whereby the signal is applied to the cathode of the diode 32 of the memory device 21 through the condenser 5, diode l5 and condenser 35. Then, similarly to the foregoing description, the memory device 21 turns on (the transistor 23 being off, while the transistor 22 being on) and the transistor 53 is rendered on." Then operation of the oscillator 69 is started, whereby the transistor 65 is alternatively rendered on" and off." The electromagnet 67 is also rendered on and off." Thus, the internal switches 3 and 45 in the switch 67 have their contacts intermit- I 6 I diode 47 forming the tuning section of the radio receiver 46 whereby the tuner is tuned to the frequency corresponding to broadcast A, and simultaneously, a fixed current flows through the resistor 51, the changeover switch 3 and the switch S composing the time signal generator 2 whereby a negative voltage is produced at the movable contact f of the change-over switch 3. Accordingly, upon the cathode of the diode 33 constituting the memory device 21 there is impressed a negative voltage through the condenser 34, and hence the memory device 21 becomes of (the transistor 22 being off, while the transistor 23 being on"). Consequently, the switching transistor 53 is rendered off, the oscillator 69 stops its oscillation, the transistor 65 also stops its on-off operation, the electromagnet 67 discontinues its on-off operation, and the movable contacts f of the change-over switches3 and 45 cease making contact with the fixed contacts a. Accordingly, as in the previous description, the voltage corresponding to broadcast A and set by the variable resistor 40 is kept applied through the changeover switch 45 and the resistor 48 to the variable capacity diode 47 composing the tuner section of the radio receiver 46, whereby it becomes possible to receive broadcast A from time a. In case broadcast B is received at time h, a similar operation is carried out.

Referring now to FIG. 2, description will be made of the case in which the contacts of the switches 3 and 45 are moved independently of'th'e time signal. A switch S is connected in series with the electromagnet 67. Upon connection of the switch S onto the x side, a

pulse-shaped current is caused to flow via the condenser 68 through the electromagnet 67, moving thereby one of the contacts of each of the switches 3 and 45. Then, since the switch S is adapted to return to the y side when released, it comes to the y side whereby charges stored in the condenser 68 are discharged through the contact y of the switch 7. When the switch S is connected to the x side once more, the pulse-shaped current is again caused to flow through the electromagnet 67 to move one more contact of each of the switches 3 and 45. By repeating this, the variable contacts f may be moved to any desired position of the fixed contacts a, b, c, d and e, and thereby when predetermined information sources are connected to the fixed contacts a, b, c, d and e, information may be switched independent of the time signal. In addition, although not shown in FIG. 2, a switch may be interposed between the base and collector of the transistor 53 through a resistor, whereby through the on-off operation of the switch the oscillator 69 is made operative or stopped thereby changing-over the switches 3 and 45 irrespective of the time signal.

In FIG. 5 is shown a further means which rotates the switches 3 and 45 independently of the time signal in case the driving device includes a motor as describedwith reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 5, the reference numeral 74 designates a switch therein containing the switches 3 and 45; 76 a shaft which couples the switch 74, a gear 77 and an operating knob operated by hand 79; 78 a further gear meshing with the gear 77; 80 a motor; and 81 a shaft coupling the gear 78 and the motor 80. In case operation is made by the time signal, the gear 78 is rotated through the shaft 81 by'means of the driving device comprising the motor 80, thereby rotating the gear 77. Then the switch 74 has the rotation of the gear 77 transmitted by the shaft 76, whereby the 7 movable contactsfare moved on the contacts a, b, c, d and e of the switches 3 and 45. On the other hand, in case operation is made irrespective of the time signal, the operating knob 79 is turned by hand. Then, the

switches 3 and 45 inside the switch 74 may be rotated by the shaft 76.

There will now be described another method of moving the contacts of the switches 3 and 45 irrespective of the time signal in the circuit arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in detail in FIG. 6, there are arranged preset switches S,,. S S,,,, 8,, and S, of a preset switch device 82 respectively in parallel with the switches S,, 8,, S,,, S, and S of the time signal generator 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Assuming that the variable resistor 40 has the corresponding voltage for reception of broadcast A set thereat when it is now desired to listen to the broadcast independently of the time signal, the preset switch 8,, is thrown to the on position. Then, as in the previous description and similarly to the switching of S, to the' on" side, a negative pulse is impressed through the condenser 5, diode l5 and the condenser 35 upon the diode 32 of the memory device 21, the memory device 21 has its operation inverted, the switching transistor 36 is rendered on to rotate the motor 39, and thus the switches 3 and 45 are rotated. When the moving contactsfreach the fixed contacts a, the negative pulse signal is applied through the switch 3 and the condenser 34 to the diode 33 of the memory device 21 because the preset switch S, is in the on position, whereby the memory device 21 is reset to render the switching transistor 36 off" thus stopping the motor 36. Therefore, the moving contactsfof the switches 3 and 45 are stopped at the fixed contacts a, and the voltage of the variable resistor 40 is impressed from point a of the switch 45 upon the variable capacity diode 47 in the radio receiver 46 whereby broadcast A may be received.

In a similar way, optional broadcasts may be selected independently of the time signal by shifting to the on positions the preset switches 5, 5, S S and 5, corresponding to the respective variable resistors 40, 41, 42, 43 and 44. Also with the time signal, operation is made as explained in the foregoing.

Although in the foregoing embodiments there were employed rotary switches for the change-over switches 3 and 45, any other switches such as slide switches and electronic switches using transistors, diodes, etc. may also be used insofar as both the switches can be interlocked with each other and driven by means of the driving device. Furthermore, the OR gate circuit is arranged so that when any one of the switches S, to S constituting the time signal generator 2 is turned on when another is still in the on position, signal is prevented from appearing at the switch later turned on and normaloperation does not occur when the switch is later turned on. The OR gate circuit, accordingly, is not necessarily required where a time interval over a fixed value is provided between the respective set times. When operating the time signal generator in a simple mode, a definite time is necessary during the interval from ON to OFF of the switch S1 of. the time signal generator. Therefore, the time signal generator is constructed so that the switch S4 may turn on while the switch S1 is in the on-state. In this case, the time signal generator is operated by means of the OR gate circuit4 and thememory device 21. That is, if the switch S4 turns on when the switch S1 is in the on-state and does not turn off, a reverse signal for the memory device is generated, this reverse signal reversing the memory device.

Furthermore, although in the foregoing embodiments a flip-flop circuit is used 'as the memory device 21 to control the switching transistor 36 and the motor 39, the flip-flop circuit and the switching transistor 36 need not be always employed. For instance, as the circuit for controlling the motor there may be employed a changeover switch operated by an electromagnet which in turn is energized by electromagnetic force. In addition, although description was made of the case in which the motor 39 or the electromagnet 67 is used as the driving device, any other driving devices will bring about no difference in operation.

Furthermore, although in the foregoing embodiments description was made of the case in which the tuning section of the radio receiver 46 is composed of the tuning coil 49 and the variable capacity diode 47, the invention may be satisfactorily used in the radio receiver 46 which, as shown in FIG. 7, has no variable capacity diode in the tuning section. In this case, it is sufficient that as seen in FIG. 7, the respective variable condensers 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87 or variable inductances are connected to the respective fixed contacts a, b, c, d and e of the change-over switch 45'.

In addition, in case of a radio receiver, it is possible that in order to set either the frequency band at AM or FM, frequency-band setting switches are arranged in series with fixed contacts a, b, c, a and e ofan additional switch interlocked with the switch 3, thereby automatically receiving the frequency band originally set. An arrangement for this measure is shown in FIG. 9. As seen inthe figure, the frequency-band setting switches S to S are arranged in series with the fixed contacts of the switch which is interlocked with the switch 3.

'Similarly, the power source maybe turned on or of by previously setting the on-off operation'of the power source. An arrangement for this measure is illustrated in FIG. 10. There is arranged a-switch 96 which is interlocked with the switch 3, and the power source on-off setting switches S 'to 8,, are arranged respectively in series with thefixed contacts a, b, c, d and e of the switch 96, whereby the on-off operation of the power source as originally set may be automatically changed-over.

Description will now be briefly made of an example of the time signal generatonFor the drive' source 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 there may used such devices operated in proportion to time as a clock, motor and spring. The time signal generator 2 is provided with a time setting device for presetting desired times, and by setting the time setting device, the respective switches 8,, S S S and S of the time signal generator 2 are actuated at the respective set times. For this actuation,

, system may be provided-a method wherein a circular drum is employed having the respective contact pieces formed on the periphery thereof, and the actuation of the switches is made through contact of the contact pieces; a system wherein an object driven by the drive source 1 and an object disposed for the time setting and which is not driven are operated so as to change the respective distances therebetween at the set times, thereby to actuate the switches; a system wherein the switches are turned on and of by means of a transistor circuit or a diode circuit operated in proportion to the supply frequency, thereby to generate time signals; etc.

Although in the above description there were used as the information sources the contents of the radio broadcast, the invention may be similarly employed for television broadcasts. In addition, as shown in FIG. 8, by separately providing a change-over switch 93 which is interlocked with the change-over switch 45 and by connecting a radio receiver 88, a tape recorder 89, an electric washer 90, an electric rice boiler 91 and a stereophonic player 92 respectively to the fixed contacts 0, p, q, r and s of the change-over siwtch 93 and connecting the movable contact t of the switch 93 to the power source, the electrical equipments 88 to 92 may be automatically and sequentially switched and operated at optional times.

As described above, the invention comprises a time setting device with which times may be preset, a time signal generator generating time signals by operating switching means at least-at two times preset by said time setting device and respectively for predetermined periods of time, a memory device having its operation inverted by the time signals obtained by means of said time signal generator and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, and change-over switches both driven by said driving device and interlocked with each other, a group of fixed contacts ofone of said change-over switches being connected to the respective information sources to be set, while a group of fixed contacts of the other change-over switch is connected to said time signal generator, when a movable contact of said second change-over switch connects one of said fixed contacts of the second switch which being connected to switching means of said time signal generator is operating, a reset signal for said memory device is generated and this time signal resets the operation of said memory device to stop the drive of said change-over switches thereby making it possible to operate only the specific one of the information sources connected to said group of fixed contacts of said one change-over switch, and whereby predetermined information sources may be sequentially and automatically switched and operated at predetermined times by presetting the desired times for operation by means of said time signal generator and by connecting the corresponding information sources to the respective fixed contacts of said one change-over switch. The invention has a number of such advantages as the construction is extremely simple, it is easy to operate and it may be applied to any information sources.

What is claimed is:

l. A programming apparatus comprising at least two switching means, a memory device having its operation inverted by operating said switching means and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective information sources to be set are connected to a group of fixed contacts of said first change-over switch, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed contacts connected to said switching means return signal means generating pulse signals when a movable contact of said second changeover switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts of said second changeover switch which are connected to said switching means in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop the drive of both said change-over switches thereby operating only the specific one of the information sources connected to said group of fixed contacts of said first change-over switch.

2. A programming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said driving device includes an electromagnet intermittently driving said first and second change-over switches and wherein an oscillator such'as an astable multivibrator operated on and off" by the output of said memory device is interposed between said driving device and said memory device.

3. A programming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an electromagnetic operating switch is arranged in parallel with a switching transistor operating said electromagnet on and off" to drive said electromagnet independent of the switching operation of said switching means.

4. A programming apparatus comprising a time signal generator generating time signals-by operating switching means at least at two preset times respectively for predetermined periods of time from times preset, a memory device having its operation inverted by the time signals obtained by means of said time signal generator and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective information sources to be set are connected to a group of fixed contacts thereof, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed-contacts connected to said time signal generator, return signal means generating pulse signals when a movable contact of said second change-over switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts of said second change-over switch which are connected to said switching means of said time signal generator in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop the drive of both said change-over switches thereby operating only the specific one of the information sources connected to said group of fixed contacts of said first changeover switch.

5. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operating switch for another driving device is arranged in a stage between said memory device and said driving device, thereby operating said driving device independently of the switching operations of said time signal generator and the operations of said memory device.

6. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switching means are arranged in parallel with the switches of said time signal generator, said switching means providing signals equivalent to the time signals, thereby switching the information sources at an optional time independently of the times set by said time signal generator.

7. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a third change-over switch is arranged which is interlocked with said first change-over switch and onoffsetting switches for setting at the on" or off state the power supply at the respective information sources are connected to the respective fixed contacts of said third change-over switch, thereby automatically turning on" or off" the power supply of said information sources at preset times.

8. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a fourth change-over switch is arranged which is interlocked with said first change-over switch and switches for setting the respective frequency bands are connected in series with the respective fixed contacts of said fourth change-over switch, thereby automatically switching the frequency bands of a radio receiver at preset times.

9. A programming apparatus comprising a time signal generator having a pluralityof output ends and connecting switching means to said respective output ends, said switching means operating for predetermined periods of time from times preset in correspondence to said respective output ends, a memory device reversing and holdings its operations by means of the time signals generated by the switching operations of said time signal generator, a driving device held in the driven state 12 by the output of said memory device, a first changeover switch driven by said, driving device and sequentially switching information sources connected to a group of fixed contacts thereof, a second changeover switch including a movable contact interlocked with said first change-over switch and a group of fixed contacts which are respectively connected to said respective output ends of said time signal generator, and return signal means generating pulse signal when a movable contact of said second change-over switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts thereof which is connected to said switching means of said time signal generator in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop said driving device. 

1. A programming apparatus comprising at least two switching means, a memory device having its operation inverted by operating said switching means and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective information sources to be set are connected to a group of fixed contacts of said first change-over switch, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed contacts connected to said switching means return signal means generating pulse signals when a movable contact of said second change-over switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts of said second changeover switch which are connected to said switching means in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop the drive of both said change-over switches thereby operating only the specific one of the information sources connected to said group of fixed contacts of said first change-over switch.
 2. A programming apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said driving device includes an electromagnet intermittently driving said first and second change-over switches and wherein an oscillator such as an astable multivibrator operated ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' by the output of said memory device is interposed between said driving device and said memory device.
 3. A programming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an electromagnetic operating switch is arranged in parallel with a switching transistor operating said electromagnet ''''on'''' and ''''off'''' to drive said electromagnet independent of the switching operation of said switching means.
 4. A programming apparatus comprising a time signal generator generating time signals by operating switching means at least at two preset times respectiVely for predetermined periods of time from times preset, a memory device having its operation inverted by the time signals obtained by means of said time signal generator and holding a driving device such as a motor in the driven state, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and in which the respective information sources to be set are connected to a group of fixed contacts thereof, and a second change-over switch interlocked with said first change-over switch and having its group of fixed contacts connected to said time signal generator, return signal means generating pulse signals when a movable contact of said second change-over switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts of said second change-over switch which are connected to said switching means of said time signal generator in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop the drive of both said change-over switches thereby operating only the specific one of the information sources connected to said group of fixed contacts of said first changeover switch.
 5. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein an operating switch for another driving device is arranged in a stage between said memory device and said driving device, thereby operating said driving device independently of the switching operations of said time signal generator and the operations of said memory device.
 6. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switching means are arranged in parallel with the switches of said time signal generator, said switching means providing signals equivalent to the time signals, thereby switching the information sources at an optional time independently of the times set by said time signal generator.
 7. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a third change-over switch is arranged which is interlocked with said first change-over switch and on-off setting switches for setting at the ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' state the power supply at the respective information sources are connected to the respective fixed contacts of said third change-over switch, thereby automatically turning ''''on'''' or ''''off'''' the power supply of said information sources at preset times.
 8. A programming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a fourth change-over switch is arranged which is interlocked with said first change-over switch and switches for setting the respective frequency bands are connected in series with the respective fixed contacts of said fourth change-over switch, thereby automatically switching the frequency bands of a radio receiver at preset times.
 9. A programming apparatus comprising a time signal generator having a plurality of output ends and connecting switching means to said respective output ends, said switching means operating for predetermined periods of time from times preset in correspondence to said respective output ends, a memory device reversing and holdings its operations by means of the time signals generated by the switching operations of said time signal generator, a driving device held in the driven state by the output of said memory device, a first change-over switch driven by said driving device and sequentially switching information sources connected to a group of fixed contacts thereof, a second changeover switch including a movable contact interlocked with said first change-over switch and a group of fixed contacts which are respectively connected to said respective output ends of said time signal generator, and return signal means generating pulse signal when a movable contact of said second change-over switch is connected to one of said fixed contacts thereof which is connected to said switching means of said time signal generator in the operating state, said pulse signal being supplied to said memory device and returning the operation of said memory device to stop said driving device. 